1
as in has a fit
to become very angry
she blew up at everybody after a very long and very bad day
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in explodes
to break open or into pieces usually because of internal pressure
the building blew up because of a gas leak
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in shatters
to cause to break open or into pieces by or as if by an explosive
blew up the biggest rocks and then cleared them away
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in cracks up
to praise or publicize lavishly and often excessively
the advertisement blows the new soda up to the point where I half expected to be transported to a higher level of consciousness
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of blows up
The new $106 million Nike man totally blows up a Titans run to start the game.
—
Joe Nguyen, Denver Post, 7 Sep. 2025
But if this blows up in Utah’s face in two or three years … oy.
—David Aldridge, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2025
When Yung Felon’s identity is revealed, his music blows up with billions of streams, and new fans flock to support him despite his heinous crimes.
—Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 15 Aug. 2025
This week, Cardi B has a message for the competition, Chance The Rapper comes full circle and Dijon blows up.
—Jason Lipshutz, Billboard, 15 Aug. 2025
Or if some out-of-towner blows up a factory with her stuff in it.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 14 Aug. 2025
And yeah, his attempt to do so at the bar blows up her parents’ ruse as well as Connie’s commitment to ethical nonmonogamy with Chane — who didn’t consent to Connie forcing him to feel her feelings — but safe to say both of those things needed to be blown up.
—Genevieve Koski, Vulture, 5 Aug. 2025
Joe Nguyen, Denver Post, 7 Sep. 2025
But if this blows up in Utah’s face in two or three years … oy.
—David Aldridge, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2025
When Yung Felon’s identity is revealed, his music blows up with billions of streams, and new fans flock to support him despite his heinous crimes.
—Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 15 Aug. 2025
This week, Cardi B has a message for the competition, Chance The Rapper comes full circle and Dijon blows up.
—Jason Lipshutz, Billboard, 15 Aug. 2025
Or if some out-of-towner blows up a factory with her stuff in it.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 14 Aug. 2025
And yeah, his attempt to do so at the bar blows up her parents’ ruse as well as Connie’s commitment to ethical nonmonogamy with Chane — who didn’t consent to Connie forcing him to feel her feelings — but safe to say both of those things needed to be blown up.
—Genevieve Koski, Vulture, 5 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blows up
Verb
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The post also included a video showing aerial footage of a fast-moving boat at sea that suddenly explodes.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
3 Oct. 2025
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When Whitney accuses her of lying to cover up her misdoings, everything explodes.—
Tom Smyth,
Vulture,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Continue reading … HEAT HISTORY – Padres flamethrower shatters MLB record with jaw-dropping pitch in playoff battle.—
,
FOXNews.com,
2 Oct. 2025
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Gunfire shatters windows at The Grand The fatal shooting in August was the latest incident amid ongoing crime problems there, the lawsuit says.—
Kendrick Calfee,
Kansas City Star,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Brother Dusk detonates explosives that shatter the cryonic chamber of Cleon clones, bodies raining down in blood and glass, before plucking a single embryo from the wreckage to bait Demerzel’s deepest programming.—
JP Mangalindan,
Time,
12 Sep. 2025
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Determined to finish the job, Dante detonates explosives on the dam itself.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
24 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The ball smashes into the floodlights, and Hobbs sets off on his victory trot, in slow motion, with sparks cascading behind him like fireworks.—
Anthony Lane,
New Yorker,
18 Sep. 2025
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The trend isn’t one-sided either, as clips have surfaced of brides being the ones to start the frosting fight, like in this TikTok video where a bride smashes a piece of cake on her groom’s face.—
Kimberlee Speakman,
PEOPLE,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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During Christmas dinner, Martha (72) announces her separation after discovering her husband’s affair with her best friend, upending the holiday as her children and their partners confront their own romantic issues.—
Anna Marie de la Fuente,
Variety,
1 Oct. 2025
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Overcome with fury, the King announces his plan to slaughter anyone who was complicit, including his own grandmother.—
Kayti Burt,
Time,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Vandy isn’t going to line up and trade blows with Alabama.—
Matt Hayes,
USA TODAY,
3 Oct. 2025
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The Dallas Cowboys were part of an instant classic on Sunday night against the Green Bay Packers, trading blows all game before the matchup ultimately went into overtime and ended in a 40-40 tie.—
Cole Sullivan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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If the city demolishes the building, the costs will be assessed to the property owner.—
Frederick Melo,
Twin Cities,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Will his focus remain the same when the first trade rumor pops up?—
Nick Friedell,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
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Harrison pops in and out of these different iterations of the characters seamlessly, dropping Midlands slang in his baby blue trackies one moment and then fiercely fighting back tears the next.—
Emlyn Travis,
Entertainment Weekly,
30 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Blows up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blows%20up. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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